Lid with Recess for Holding Open on Container Rim

ABSTRACT

A receptacle ( 10 ) comprising a container ( 11 ) and a lid ( 12 ). The container ( 11 ) has an open end defining a rim ( 13 ) and the lid ( 12 ) is removal y mountable to the open end to close the container ( 11 ). In addition to being manually removable from the container ( 11 ), the lid ( 12 ) and the rim of the container have respective complementary engagement means to allow the lid ( 12 ) to also be pivotally movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No 2004904783 filed on 23 Aug. 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to receptacles for miscellaneous uses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Receptacles come in a wide range of types, shapes and sizes depending on the ultimate use or purpose of the receptacle. Such receptacles can often comprise a container that is closable by a lid or closure of some form. The lids or closures may seal the container or simply be placed on the container in a manner that closes the container while allowing relatively ready access thereto.

A problem that can be faced in some instances with containers having a lid or closure is the issue of what to do with the lid or closure while one is accessing the contents of the container. While the lid or closure may be simply placed on a surface until again required, this may be undesirable in some instances due to, for example, hygienic reasons.

The present invention is directed to providing one solution to this problem.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

According to one aspect, the present invention is a receptacle comprising:

a container having an open end defining a rim; and

a lid that is removably mountable to the open end to close said end of the container;

wherein the lid and rim have respective complementary engagement means to allow the lid to also be pivotally movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.

By “removably mountable”, it is to be understood that the lid can be removed from the container when and if desired. The lid can in one embodiment seal the container but may instead simply act as a closure for the open end of the container.

In one embodiment, the lid can have a rim engagement means that cooperates with the surface of the rim of the container during and/or after the pivotal movement of the lid relative to the container, resulting in the lid being in the opened position. In this embodiment, the rim can be a standard rim of a container.

In one embodiment, the lid has a top portion having an upper side and under side. A skirt can extend away from the underside of the top portion. In one embodiment, the skirt can extend away from the underside of the top portion for a uniform length over its diameter. In another embodiment, the extent or depth of the skirt can vary over the diameter. For example, the skirt can define a concave region in the under side of the lid. In another embodiment, the skirt can define a convex region in the under side of the lid. In yet another embodiment, the skirt can have a relatively thicker region in the location of the rim engagement means. In one embodiment, the skirt can have an outer wall. The outer wall can be continuous or non-continuous.

In one embodiment, the outer wall of the skirt can be stepped inwardly from the outer periphery of the top portion and so define a stepped region in the periphery of the lid. In one embodiment, the stepped region can engage an upper surface of the rim when the lid is in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the container can be partly or wholly cylindrical. Where the container is cylindrical, the lid can be circular. In another embodiment, the container may have a body that is at least partially non-cylindrical but still have a circular free end or rim. It can also be envisaged that a container that is at least partially cylindrical could have a non-circular free end or rim, for example, a square free end or rim.

In yet another embodiment, the container could be bowl-shaped or otherwise expand in diameter upwardly from its base. The container or its free end may, for example, be elliptical. Various shapes and dimensions of containers are embodied within the present invention.

The outer wall of the lid can be formed to at least substantially match the shape of the rim of the container. The outer wall of the lid can, for example, be substantially cylindrical or cylindrical. In another embodiment, the outer wall can be frusto-conical or otherwise taper in diameter away from the underside of the top portion. The outer dimension and/or shape of the outer wall is preferably such that the outer wall abuts or is positioned relatively close to an inner surface of the rim of the free end of the container when the lid is in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the rim engagement means can comprise a recess formed in the skirt of the lid. The recess preferably moves into engagement with the rim of the container when the lid is appropriately pivoted relative to the free end of the container away from the closed position. In one embodiment, the lid can remain in said at least one opened position once the lid has been pivoted to said position. In this position, the rim of the container is preferably relatively positioned within the recess and serves to assist in retaining the lid in the opened position. This retention can be assisted by use of an appropriately sized and shaped recess. In one embodiment, the said at least one opened position can be the position that the lid adopts once it has pivoted relatively to the rim through an angle of at least 70 degrees, more preferably at least or about 90 degrees. The engagement between the rim engagement means and the rim can serve to prevent any pivot beyond a predetermined limit or travel while still allowing the lid to remain supported on the rim of the container in its opened position.

In one embodiment, the recess can taper in thickness and/or width away from the outer wall into the skirt of the lid. In one embodiment, for example when the container rim is circular or has a curved locus, the recess can also have a degree of curvature that assists in the engagement of the lid onto the rim when the lid is in the opened position.

In another embodiment, the said at least one opened position can be the position that the lid adopts once it has pivoted relatively to the rim through an angle of less than 90 degrees. To ensure the lid remains in this position, it is envisaged that the centre of gravity of the lid would need to be such that the lid could remain balanced on the rim even though not extending upwardly at or about 90 degrees relative to the closed position.

When the lid is in the closed position, the lid can be in a substantially horizontal position. Saying this, it may not be the case that the upper side and under side of the top portion are horizontal when the lid is in that position. In this embodiment, and when the lid has moved through 90 degrees to the said at least one opened position, the lid can extend substantially vertically.

It will be appreciated that the lid can be said to have moved to an opened position as soon as pivotal movement of the lid commences. If the manipulation of the lid causing the movement is removed, the lid will likely simply drop back into place if the lid has not reached a position where the lid is able to be supported on the rim in the said at least one opened position.

In a further embodiment, the lid can have a user manipulator. Such a manipulator can comprise a handle that can be grasped by the fingers. In one embodiment, the handle can extend upwardly from the upper side of the lid. In one embodiment, the handle can extend upwardly from the upper side at or adjacent the location of the complementary engagement means.

In another embodiment, the rim engagement means can comprise a hook member extending outwardly from a portion of the periphery of the lid.

In one embodiment, the rim engagement means can be an integral component of the lid. In another embodiment, the rim engagement means can be a non-integral component of the lid. For example, the rim engagement means can be removably attachable to the lid.

The present invention has wide application with many types of receptacle having the features of the present invention. For example, the receptacle can be designed for use in domestic, commercial or industrial settings. In one embodiment, the receptacles can comprise kitchenware, including storage containers and cookware. For example, the container can comprise a skillet or frypan.

The materials used for the receptacle will depend on the envisaged application of the receptacle. The lid can be formed of the same or a different material to that of the container. The complementary engagement means of the lid and/or container can also be formed of different or the same materials.

According to second aspect, the present invention is a lid for a container having an open end defining a rim, the lid being removably mountable to the open end to close said end of the container and having a rim engagement means that cooperates with the surface of the rim to allow the lid to also be pivotally movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.

In this aspect, the lid can have one or more of the features of the lid as defined herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention. The container that can be closed by the lid of this aspect, can have one or more of the features of the container as defined herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is a receptacle comprising:

a container having an open end defining a rim; and

a lid suitable for closing said container, said lid comprising:

-   -   an upper side;     -   an under side; and     -   a recess;

wherein said lid is positionable on said rim in a first closed position;

and further wherein said recess is configured to receive a complementary portion of said rim so that the lid is supportable on said rim in a second opened position.

In this third aspect, the lid can further comprise a skirt extending away from the under side of the top portion, the skirt having an outer wall stepped inwardly from an outer periphery of the lid and defining a stepped region in the periphery of the lid that is supportable with an upper surface of the rim when the lid is in a closed position.

In this aspect, the recess cab also taper in thickness and/or width away from the outer wall into the skirt of the lid. The recess can further have a degree of curvature that assists in the engagement of the lid onto the rim when the lid is in the opened position.

Still further, the lid of this aspect can have a handle that is graspable by a user. The handle can extend upwardly from the upper side of the lid at or adjacent the location of the recess.

In this aspect, the receptacle can also have one or more of the features of the receptacle as defined herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention is a lid for closing a container having an open end defining a rim, the lid comprising:

an upper side;

an under side; and

a recess;

wherein said lid is positionable on said rim in a first closed position;

and further wherein said recess is configured to receive a complementary portion of said rim so that the lid is supportable on said rim in a second open position.

In this aspect, the lid can have one or more of the features of the lid as defined herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention. The container that can be closed by the lid of this aspect can have one or more of the features of the container as defined herein with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

The present invention provides the convenience of a receptacle that preferably combines the convenience of a totally removable lid whilst also still possessing a capability of the lid being pivotally movable relative to the container and then supported on the rim. This obviates the need to necessarily find a place to place the lid once removed from the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are side elevation views of one embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention with the lid in the closed and opened positions, respectively;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views of the container and lid, respectively, of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the lid of the receptacle of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 8 a, 8 b and 8 c are plan, side elevation, and cross-sectional views, respectively, of another receptacle according to the present invention.

PREFERRED MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention is depicted generally as 10 in FIGS. 1-4. The receptacle 10 is designed for storage of general household items and could be utilised in a wide variety of applications.

The receptacle 10 comprises a cylindrical container 11 and a circular lid 12. Other shaped containers and lids can be envisaged and are encompassed within the present application. The depicted receptacle 10 is formed from a polymeric material, however, other suitable materials can be envisaged.

The container 11 has an open end defining a rim 13. The lid 12 is removably mountable to the open end to close the container 11. By being removable, it is understood, in the depicted embodiment, that the lid 12 can be simply lifted off the container 11.

In addition to being manually removable from the container 11, the lid 12 and the rim of the container have respective complementary engagement means to allow the lid 12 to also be pivotally or otherwise movable between a closed position (as depicted in FIG. 1 a) and at least one opened position relative to the open end (as depicted in FIG. 1 b).

In the depicted embodiment, the respective complementary engagement means comprises, in the lid 12, a rim engagement means, here in the form of a recess 14, that cooperates with the surface of the rim 13 of the container 11 during and/or after the pivotal movement so resulting in the lid being able to adopt the opened position depicted in FIG. 1 b.

The lid 12 has a top portion 15 having an upper side and under side. A skirt 16 extends away from the under side of the top portion 15. In the depicted embodiment, the extent or depth the skirt 16 extends away from the under side varies over the diameter of the lid 12. This results in the skirt defining a concave region 17 in the underside of the lid 12. As depicted, the skirt 16 can have at least one relatively thicker region in the location of the recess 14.

The outer wall 18 of the skirt 16 is stepped inwardly from the outer periphery of the top portion 15 and so defines a stepped region in the region of the periphery of the lid. This stepped region is engageable with an upper surface of the rim 13 when the lid 12 is in a closed position as depicted in FIG. 1 a.

The outer wall 18 of the lid 12 is formed to at least substantially match the shape of the rim 13 of the container 11. In the depicted embodiment, the outer wall 18 is frusto-conical and so tapers in diameter away from the under side of the top portion 15 of the lid 12. The outer dimension and shape of the outer wall 18 is such that it abuts or is positioned relatively close to an inner surface of the rim 13 of the free end of the container when the lid 12 is in a closed position (as depicted in FIG. 1 a).

In the depicted embodiment, the recess 14 is formed in the skirt 16 of the lid 12. The recess receives the rim 13 of the container 11 when the lid is appropriately pivoted or otherwise moved relative to the free end of the container away from the closed position. As depicted in FIG. 1 b, the lid 12 is constructed so as to remain in the opened position once the lid has been pivoted or otherwise moved to that position until the user desires to return the lid 12 to the closed position or the user removes the lid 12 entirely off the container 11.

While in the opened position, the rim 13 of the container 11 is relatively positioned within the recess and serves to retain the lid in the opened position. This retention can be assisted by use of an appropriately sized and shaped recess. The recess is shaped to allow a relatively smooth pivoting action between the lid 12 and the container rim 13. As such, it is not necessary to detach or otherwise remove the lid 12 from the rim so as to bring it from the position depicted in FIG. 1 a to the position depicted in FIG. 1 b. Despite this, it is possible to detach the lid 12 and then place it in the depicted opened position if desired.

As depicted, the opened position can be the position that the lid 12 adopts once it has pivoted relatively to the rim through an angle of about 90 degrees. The engagement between the recess 14 and the rim 13 can serve to prevent any pivot beyond 90 degrees while still allowing the lid 12 to remain supported on the container 11. Other angles of travel of the lid relative to the open end of the container can be envisaged.

The recess 14 can taper in thickness and/or width away from the outer wall 18 into the skirt 16 of the lid 12. When the container rim 13 is circular or has a curved locus, the recess 14 can also have a degree of curvature (as depicted in FIG. 4) that assists in the engagement of the lid 12 onto the rim 13 when the lid is in the opened position.

As depicted in FIG. 1 a, when the lid is in the closed position, the lid 12 can be in a substantially horizontal position. Saying this, it may not be the case that the upper side and under side of the top portion are horizontal when the lid is in that position. In this embodiment, when the lid has moved through 90 degrees to the opened position, as depicted in FIG. 1 b, the lid can extend substantially vertically.

It will be appreciated that the lid 12 can be said to have moved to an opened position as soon as pivotal movement of the lid commences. If the manipulation of the lid causing the movement is removed, the lid will likely simply drop back into place if the lid has not reached a position where the lid is able to be supported on the rim in the said at least one opened position.

The depicted lid 12 is provided with a user manipulator in the form of a handle 19 that can be grasped by the fingers. The handle 19 extends upwardly from the upper side of the lid 12 at the location of the recess 14.

While in FIGS. 1-4 the recess 14 and the skirt 16 are an integral component of the lid 12, it will be appreciated that these parts of the lid could be a non-integral component of the lid. For example, the skirt 16 with the recess 14 therein could be removably attachable to the lid 12.

An alternative embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention is depicted generally as 30 in FIGS. 5-7. The receptacle 30 is a bowl 31 having a circular lid 32 with a handle 39.

The bowl 31 and lid 32 operate together in a manner similar to that depicted in FIGS. 1-4 with the lid 32 being removably mountable to the bowl 31 while also being pivotally or otherwise movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.

In this embodiment, the lid 32 again has a rim engagement means in the form of a recess 34 that cooperates with the surface of the rim of the bowl 31 during and/or after the pivotal movement resulting in the lid 32 being in the opened position.

Yet a further alternative embodiment of a receptacle according to the present invention is depicted generally as 40 in FIGS. 8 a-8 c. The receptacle 40 is a skillet 41 having a circular lid 42 with a handle 43.

The skillet 41 and lid 42 operate together in a manner similar to that depicted in FIGS. 1-4 with the lid 42 being removably mountable to the skillet 41 while also being pivotally or otherwise movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.

In this embodiment, the lid 42 has a recess 44 that has the same profile as the rim of the skillet 41 but turned, in this case, by 94°. The position and shape of the recess 44 ensures that the rim can enter the recess 44 and so result in the lid 42 being supportable in a vertical or substantially vertical orientation on the rim if desired.

The lid of the depicted embodiments can be formed of the same or a different material to that of the container. The complementary engagement means of the lid and/or container can also be formed of different or the same materials.

The present invention provides the convenience of a receptacle that preferably combines the convenience of a totally removable lid whilst also still possessing a capability of the lid being pivotally or otherwise movable relative to the container and then supported on the rim. This obviates the need to necessarily find a place to place the lid once removed from the container.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

1. A receptacle comprising: a container having an open end defining a rim; and a lid that is removably mountable to the open end to close said end of the container; wherein the lid and rim have respective complementary engagement means to allow the lid to also be pivotally movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.
 2. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the lid has a rim engagement means that cooperates with the surface of the rim of the container during and/or after the pivotal movement of the lid relative to the container, resulting in the lid being in the opened position.
 3. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises: a top portion having an outer periphery, an upper side and an under side; and a skirt extending away from the under side of the top portion; wherein the skirt has an outer wall stepped inwardly from the outer periphery of the top portion and defining a stepped region in the periphery of the lid that is engageable with an upper surface of the rim when the lid is in a closed position.
 4. The receptacle of claim 3 wherein the rim engagement means comprises a recess formed in the skirt of the lid that is engageable with the rim of the container when the lid is appropriately pivoted relative to the free end of the container away from the closed position.
 5. The receptacle of claim 4 wherein the engagement of the recess with the rim results in the lid remaining in said at least one opened position once the lid has been pivoted to said position.
 6. The receptacle of claim 5 wherein the recess tapers in thickness and/or width away from the outer wall into the skirt of the lid.
 7. The receptacle of claim 6 wherein the recess has a degree of curvature that assists in the engagement of the lid onto the rim when the lid is in the opened position.
 8. The receptacle of claim 1 wherein the lid has a handle that is graspable by a user.
 9. The receptacle of claim 8 wherein the handle extends upwardly from the upper side of the lid at or adjacent the location of the complementary engagement means.
 10. The receptacle of claim 2 wherein the rim engagement means comprises a hook member extending outwardly from a portion of the periphery of the lid.
 11. A lid for a container having an open end defining a rim, the lid being removably mountable to the open end to close said end of the container and having a rim engagement means that cooperates with the surface of the rim to allow the lid to also be pivotally movable between a closed position and at least one opened position relative to the open end.
 12. A receptacle comprising: a container having an open end defining a rim; and a lid suitable for closing said container, said lid comprising: an upper side; an under side; and a recess; wherein said lid is positionable on said rim in a first closed position; and further wherein said recess is configured to receive a complementary portion of said rim so that the lid is supportable on said rim in a second opened position.
 13. The receptacle of claim 12 wherein the lid further comprises a skirt extending away from the under side of the top portion, the skirt having an outer wall stepped inwardly from an outer periphery of the lid and defining a stepped region in the periphery of the lid that is supportable with an upper surface of the rim when the lid is in a closed position.
 14. The receptacle of claim 13 wherein the recess tapers in thickness and/or width away from the outer wall into the skirt of the lid.
 15. The receptacle of claim 14 wherein the recess has a degree of curvature that assists in the engagement of the lid onto the rim when the lid is in the opened position.
 16. The receptacle of claim 12 wherein the lid has a handle that is graspable by a user.
 17. The receptacle of claim 16 wherein the handle extends upwardly from the upper side of the lid at or adjacent the location of the recess.
 18. A lid for closing a container having an open end defining a rim, the lid comprising: an upper side; an under side; and a recess; wherein said lid is positionable on said rim in a first closed position; and further wherein said recess is configured to receive a complementary portion of said rim so that the lid is supportable on said rim in a second open position. 